Mike Vick's Lawyers 'Didn't See It Coming'
Posted Aug 14th 2007 5:09AM by Michael David Smith
Filed under: Falcons, Atlanta, NFL Police Blotter
Hours after it was reported that all of Michael Vick's co-defendants will plead guilty and testify against the Falcons quarterback, ESPN is reporting that Vick himself is considering a plea deal.
ESPN also reported that if Vick doesn't plead guilty this week, he's likely to face additional charges. An acquittal might be the only thing that can save Vick's NFL career, but the government now has seven eyewitnesses prepared to testify against him. An acquittal might not be a realistic possibility anymore. Like his co-defendants, Vick may decide that a guilty plea is his best bet.
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/08/14/mike-vicks-lawyers-didnt-see-it-coming/
Filed under: Falcons, Atlanta, NFL Police Blotter
Hours after it was reported that all of Michael Vick's co-defendants will plead guilty and testify against the Falcons quarterback, ESPN is reporting that Vick himself is considering a plea deal.
Sources told ESPN's Kelly Naqi that Vick attorneys Larry Woodward and Billy Martin met with federal prosecutor Michael Gill and the investigators on Monday afternoon. ...
Collins R. Spencer III, a spokesman for Vick's defense team, said the lawyers were surprised by the plea deals.
"They didn't see it coming," Spencer said.
Vick's lawyers are said to be among the best in the business, but why wouldn't they see something like this coming? Isn't it their job to see it coming? Is it really a surprise that Vick's co-defendants would see that the feds have them dead to rights and decide that their best bet is to cooperate and beg for mercy? Collins R. Spencer III, a spokesman for Vick's defense team, said the lawyers were surprised by the plea deals.
"They didn't see it coming," Spencer said.
ESPN also reported that if Vick doesn't plead guilty this week, he's likely to face additional charges. An acquittal might be the only thing that can save Vick's NFL career, but the government now has seven eyewitnesses prepared to testify against him. An acquittal might not be a realistic possibility anymore. Like his co-defendants, Vick may decide that a guilty plea is his best bet.
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/08/14/mike-vicks-lawyers-didnt-see-it-coming/
Vick must decide whether to accept plea agreement
ESPN.com news services
Updated: August 14, 2007, 12:24 AM ET
With two more co-defendants distancing themselves from Michael Vick, the embattled Falcons quarterback was considering on Monday whether to accept a plea agreement for his alleged role in a dogfighting operation.
Sources told ESPN's Kelly Naqi that Vick attorneys Larry Woodward and Billy Martin met with federal prosecutor Michael Gill and the investigators on Monday afternoon. The attorneys planned to speak with the quarterback in the evening to see what direction he wants to go in.
That comes on the heels of news that co-defendants Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips are scheduled to appear in federal court in Richmond at the end of the week and are expected to accept their own plea agreements. Peace's hearing is at 9 a.m. (ET) on Thursday, while Phillips will appear on Friday at the same time. Plea agreements would clear them to testify against Vick.
Collins R. Spencer III, a spokesman for Vick's defense team, said the lawyers were surprised by the plea deals.
"They didn't see it coming," Spencer said.
Harrington on The Herd
Anointed the Falcons' No. 1 quarterback in the wake of Michael Vick's legal issues, Joey Harrington, right, says he's preparing like the Falcons are his team and that he's a good fit for coach Bobby Petrino's offense. Listen
But he said it wouldn't affect the way he proceeds with the case.
In a Richmond, Va., court in late July, Vick pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities, and conspiring to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture. He said in a written statement that he looked forward to "clearing my good name." He also pleaded with the public to resist a rush to judgment.
Another of Vick's co-defendants, 34-year-old Tony Taylor, pleaded guilty to the same charges and has pledged to fully cooperate with the government in its prosecution of Vick and the two others. The plea deal requires Taylor to testify against Vick and his two remaining co-defendants if called upon to do so.
A source close to the investigation told Naqi that Vick has until Friday to make up his mind whether to accept a plea agreement. Otherwise a superseding indictment will be filed and Vick will face at least two more federal dogfighting charges.
Meanwhile, the NFL dismissed a report Sunday that said commissioner Roger Goodell was close to announcing a season-long suspension of Vick.
Citing two sources within the league, Yahoo.com reported late Sunday night that Goodell will announce "this week or next" that Vick will be suspended for the 2007 season.
"That's the direction it's going and has been from the time this started," one of the sources said this week, according to Yahoo. "The plan was to make sure it was announced before the season. Given what everybody has seen from what [league] security found and what the feds are telling us, there's really no choice."
Eric Holder, a former deputy attorney general retained by the league, is still gathering facts on Vick's alleged involvement in dogfighting, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Monday.
"The commissioner has not made any decision," Aiello said.
The gruesome details outlined in the July 17 indictment have fueled public protests against Vick and prompted the suspension of some of his lucrative endorsement deals. The summary of facts signed by Taylor supports the indictment's claims that the dogfighting ring on Vick's property in Surry County, Va., executed underperforming dogs by drowning, hanging and other brutal means. Taylor admitted shooting one dog and electrocuting another when they did not perform well in test fights in the summer of 2002.
Vick has been barred from Falcons training camp by Goodell while the league conducts its investigation.
"While it is for the criminal justice system to determine your guilt or innocence, it is my responsibility as commissioner of the National Football League to determine whether your conduct, even if not criminal, nonetheless violated league policies, including the Personal Conduct Policy," Goodell said in a letter to the quarterback on July 24.
Falcons coach Bobby Petrino said he has not spoken with his players about Vick's troubles since camp opened.
"I'm not ready to respond to anything regarding Michael because I know nothing new," Petrino said.
Falcons running back Warrick Dunn, Vick's teammate since 2002, said he recently spoke with the 27-year-old quarterback to offer support. Dunn added, however, that the players have no choice but to move ahead and prepare for the Sept. 9 season opener at Minnesota.
"I don't think anybody on this team right now is hoping that Mike comes back," Dunn said. "If he comes back, that's great, but I just think right now we're at point where the guys that are here are trying to get better and move on down the road. Mike is going to be missed and has been missed, but at the same time you have to go on."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
ESPN.com news services
Updated: August 14, 2007, 12:24 AM ET
With two more co-defendants distancing themselves from Michael Vick, the embattled Falcons quarterback was considering on Monday whether to accept a plea agreement for his alleged role in a dogfighting operation.
Sources told ESPN's Kelly Naqi that Vick attorneys Larry Woodward and Billy Martin met with federal prosecutor Michael Gill and the investigators on Monday afternoon. The attorneys planned to speak with the quarterback in the evening to see what direction he wants to go in.
That comes on the heels of news that co-defendants Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips are scheduled to appear in federal court in Richmond at the end of the week and are expected to accept their own plea agreements. Peace's hearing is at 9 a.m. (ET) on Thursday, while Phillips will appear on Friday at the same time. Plea agreements would clear them to testify against Vick.
Collins R. Spencer III, a spokesman for Vick's defense team, said the lawyers were surprised by the plea deals.
"They didn't see it coming," Spencer said.
Harrington on The Herd
Anointed the Falcons' No. 1 quarterback in the wake of Michael Vick's legal issues, Joey Harrington, right, says he's preparing like the Falcons are his team and that he's a good fit for coach Bobby Petrino's offense. Listen
But he said it wouldn't affect the way he proceeds with the case.
In a Richmond, Va., court in late July, Vick pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities, and conspiring to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture. He said in a written statement that he looked forward to "clearing my good name." He also pleaded with the public to resist a rush to judgment.
Another of Vick's co-defendants, 34-year-old Tony Taylor, pleaded guilty to the same charges and has pledged to fully cooperate with the government in its prosecution of Vick and the two others. The plea deal requires Taylor to testify against Vick and his two remaining co-defendants if called upon to do so.
A source close to the investigation told Naqi that Vick has until Friday to make up his mind whether to accept a plea agreement. Otherwise a superseding indictment will be filed and Vick will face at least two more federal dogfighting charges.
Meanwhile, the NFL dismissed a report Sunday that said commissioner Roger Goodell was close to announcing a season-long suspension of Vick.
Citing two sources within the league, Yahoo.com reported late Sunday night that Goodell will announce "this week or next" that Vick will be suspended for the 2007 season.
"That's the direction it's going and has been from the time this started," one of the sources said this week, according to Yahoo. "The plan was to make sure it was announced before the season. Given what everybody has seen from what [league] security found and what the feds are telling us, there's really no choice."
Eric Holder, a former deputy attorney general retained by the league, is still gathering facts on Vick's alleged involvement in dogfighting, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Monday.
"The commissioner has not made any decision," Aiello said.
The gruesome details outlined in the July 17 indictment have fueled public protests against Vick and prompted the suspension of some of his lucrative endorsement deals. The summary of facts signed by Taylor supports the indictment's claims that the dogfighting ring on Vick's property in Surry County, Va., executed underperforming dogs by drowning, hanging and other brutal means. Taylor admitted shooting one dog and electrocuting another when they did not perform well in test fights in the summer of 2002.
Vick has been barred from Falcons training camp by Goodell while the league conducts its investigation.
"While it is for the criminal justice system to determine your guilt or innocence, it is my responsibility as commissioner of the National Football League to determine whether your conduct, even if not criminal, nonetheless violated league policies, including the Personal Conduct Policy," Goodell said in a letter to the quarterback on July 24.
Falcons coach Bobby Petrino said he has not spoken with his players about Vick's troubles since camp opened.
"I'm not ready to respond to anything regarding Michael because I know nothing new," Petrino said.
Falcons running back Warrick Dunn, Vick's teammate since 2002, said he recently spoke with the 27-year-old quarterback to offer support. Dunn added, however, that the players have no choice but to move ahead and prepare for the Sept. 9 season opener at Minnesota.
"I don't think anybody on this team right now is hoping that Mike comes back," Dunn said. "If he comes back, that's great, but I just think right now we're at point where the guys that are here are trying to get better and move on down the road. Mike is going to be missed and has been missed, but at the same time you have to go on."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
PETA asks that Vick be banned from ever owning pets
BY MIKE HOLTZCLAW | 757-928-6479
8:42 AM EDT, August 15, 2007
Upon learning on Tuesday that Vick might be trying to negotiate a plea deal in the dogfighting investigation that has thrown his NFL career into jeopardy, Martin Mersereau -- manager of PETA's cruelty casework division -- wrote a letter to assistant U.S. attorney Michael Gill.
"One small but vital matter with regard to Michael Vick's possible plea bargain," Merserau wrote. "We implore your office to include a provision prohibiting Mr. Vick from owning and/or harboring any animal."
In the letter, Mersereau writes that animal abusers are highly prone to repeat offenses and that Vick.
"We see this time and time again," he wrote. "By keeping animals from their hands, and off of their properties, your office is in the position to help ensure that Vick and his codefendants do not cause more harm than that which has already been alleged against them."
Mersereau's letter concludes by asking that any plea agreement include a provision that permits local officials to visit any of Vick's properties to follow up on any suspicion that he is violating the ban on owning pets.
BY MIKE HOLTZCLAW | 757-928-6479
8:42 AM EDT, August 15, 2007
Upon learning on Tuesday that Vick might be trying to negotiate a plea deal in the dogfighting investigation that has thrown his NFL career into jeopardy, Martin Mersereau -- manager of PETA's cruelty casework division -- wrote a letter to assistant U.S. attorney Michael Gill.
"One small but vital matter with regard to Michael Vick's possible plea bargain," Merserau wrote. "We implore your office to include a provision prohibiting Mr. Vick from owning and/or harboring any animal."
In the letter, Mersereau writes that animal abusers are highly prone to repeat offenses and that Vick.
"We see this time and time again," he wrote. "By keeping animals from their hands, and off of their properties, your office is in the position to help ensure that Vick and his codefendants do not cause more harm than that which has already been alleged against them."
Mersereau's letter concludes by asking that any plea agreement include a provision that permits local officials to visit any of Vick's properties to follow up on any suspicion that he is violating the ban on owning pets.
